..::The American Business Council of Pakistan::..

First CEO Roundtable Meeting of the Year on January 26, 2012
The American Business Council Of Pakistan (Abc) Held Its First Ceo Rountable Meeting of the year on 26th Jan. 2012. This meeting was attended by members of the ABC, representing a cross section of sectors including healthcare, financial services, information technology, FMCG, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas and others.

The key points of the discussion included:
– The general consensus was that 2011 was a better year than expected for most companies, especially for FMCG and IT companies and exporters.

– The biggest issues were faced by companies in the pharma and oil & gas sectors.

– The projected outlook for most companies in 2012 remains positive, despite issues.

– There is a need for greater dialogue and interest on the part of the Govt. with the private sector and an urgent need to address issues in the health and power sectors.

– The implications of an election year will impact the ABC member companies both through disruption and disturbances, as well as possible over-commitment by political party through campaign promises.

– Despite of the difficult security and economic situation; pockets of the economy are doing well and businesses continued to invest in 2011 and plan to do so again for 2012.

– In 2011 no major new investment was made other then on-going capital needed for existing facilities but 2012 bodes better for new investment plans for over 60% of the companies present today. Only one company has plans for green-filed investment however.

– Key Challenges highlighted were:-

   –Security Situation over all was highlighted as the most major area of concern, plus personal security and travel issues.

   – Taxes and inconsistency of Govt. policies especially regarding pharma and oil & gas.

   – Increases in cost of doing business, high interest rates/ cost of Power & utilities (Gas), rise in cost of transport/logistics.

   – Billions of US$ stuck in oil company subsidies.

   – The sudden devolution of the Health Ministry has negatively impacted pharma companies.

The members of the ABC comprise of some of the most prominent business executives, managing amongst them the most prestigious businesses, in Pakistan, most of which are Fortune 500 companies. The ABC remains committed to upholding its mission - '' To Protect and promote the interests of US Investors in Pakistan; To encourage and stimulate new investments; To introduce and inculcate best practices; To strive to establish a level playing field in the country in order to promote the development of commerce between the USA and Pakistan.

  • ABC Members have cumulative revenues of over US$3 billion, with an investment of approx. US$ 600 million.

  • Their contribution to the National Exchequer, through direct/indirect taxes was Rs. 57 billion.

  • They exported goods worth Rs. 23 billion during 2009-10.

  • They directly employ over 55,500 people, with 220,000 dependents, and indirectly employ approx. 1 million people through their networks of agents, distributors, contractors etc.

The American Business Council of Pakistan (ABC) is a Chamber of Commerce & Industry of American businesses in Pakistan affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, (FPCCI) and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), Washington D.C., and Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC). ABC also has a close working relationship with the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, Washington which is a component of the USCC.